Try prying them apart from below with a large flat screwdriver or a small crow bar. You could use 2 screwdrivers coming in from the bottom and prying that way. Pry one driver up and the other down at the same time in the slots.

I bet they cinched down the pinch bolts during the process and squeezed them together when they are supposed to be spread out. Sounds drastic, but worth a shot?

I guess removing the pinch bolts prior to sending them out would be a good idea, I bet they tightened them down because they were afraid they might get lost somehow? Seems odd though because thats what they do, suspensions and should have known better. thats is if that was the case and not you who tightened them down before shipping?

Sounds like the only option you have is to spread the axle opening. Be gentle but firm. I've done this lots of times but never on a C14. Remove the bolts and gently tap a flat head screwdriver in from the bottom. It shouldn't take much but will feel like you're going to break something. Be gentle and it should be fine. If you have a short wide screwdriver that would be best. Start with the nut (L/H) side and leave it in then go for the axle side. When you get the axle to fit leave the screwdriver in until the wheel is installed and the axle is all the way in. Snug tighten the axle into the nut then pull the screwdriver and torque the nut. Don't forget to apply a thin coat of axle grease on the nut and axle. Bounce the bike up and down a few times before evenly and in steps tightening and torquing the pinch bolts.

Sounds like the only option you have is to spread the axle opening. Be gentle but firm. I've done this lots of times but never on a C14. Remove the bolts and gently tap a flat head screwdriver in from the bottom. It shouldn't take much but will feel like you're going to break something. Be gentle and it should be fine. If you have a short wide screwdriver that would be best. Start with the nut (L/H) side and leave it in then go for the axle side. When you get the axle to fit leave the screwdriver in until the wheel is installed and the axle is all the way in. Snug tighten the axle into the nut then pull the screwdriver and torque the nut. Don't forget to apply a thin coat of axle grease on the nut and axle. Bounce the bike up and down a few times before evenly and in steps tightening and torquing the pinch bolts.

Success! A few bad words and patience got it to go. Thanks so much to everyone for the quick replies!

Sounds like the only option you have is to spread the axle opening. Be gentle but firm. I've done this lots of times but never on a C14. Remove the bolts and gently tap a flat head screwdriver in from the bottom. It shouldn't take much but will feel like you're going to break something. Be gentle and it should be fine. If you have a short wide screwdriver that would be best. Start with the nut (L/H) side and leave it in then go for the axle side. When you get the axle to fit leave the screwdriver in until the wheel is installed and the axle is all the way in. Snug tighten the axle into the nut then pull the screwdriver and torque the nut. Don't forget to apply a thin coat of axle grease on the nut and axle. Bounce the bike up and down a few times before evenly and in steps tightening and torquing the pinch bolts.

Success! A few bad words and patience got it to go. Thanks so much to everyone for the quick replies!